CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Quarterfinals – USA vs. Panama

European champions Spain can vouch for the credentials of the US football team as they were shocked by the American juggernaut at the Confederations Cup semi-finals earlier last month. Bob Bradley’s team went on to the final where they very nearly shocked Brazil after taking the 2-0 lead, before acceding 3 goals and bowing out with a runner-up finish. It is not the same calibre of players that made their way to the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 competition to defend their title. Bob Bradley sent a true “B”. But any perceived shortcomings on the bench did not materialize on the pitch and they went through the group stage undefeated. Next up for USA in the knock out stages of the tournament is Panama, a side that finished third in Group C and that was promoted into the quarterfinals through one of the two spots reserved for the best third placed teams.

Soccer Betting Line:

USA -1½ Ev -325 2½ O -130 U Ev Draw +325

Panama +1½ -130 +650 2½ O -130 U Ev Draw +325

Match Time: 05:00 P.M. Eastern Time Saturday July 18 2009

Venue: Lincoln Financial Field

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

USA hot favourites

USA has been rolling through the competition and save for their 2-2 draw against Haiti they have been nigh-perfect. It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable victory for the USA against Panama. They are unbeaten in group action. They are bolstered by their international turnout. And they intend to ride this successful wave to the finish line. More significantly, they have home edge as the USA is hosting this tournament this year.

Panama long shot bet

Panama are huge underdogs in this match and they enter with a +650 price tag in the BetOnline soccer betting marketplace. Panama made it into the quarters not so much on their own merit, as they finished third, but through the competitions rules which allows two third placed teams to advance. That said, Panama did finish the group stage with a morale boosting 4:0 pounding of Nicaragua.

Soccer Betting Verdict: While the market tips this match as a complete USA beat down, I believe this match will be a lot closer. The pressure will be all on the USA to perform in front of their home fans. The stakes are high against Panama and they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They rose to the occasion in their last match against Nicaragua and I expect they will rise to the occasion once again and try to make a match of it. That said, the Americans should be too strong for them and the best Panama can do is to lose respectably. USA at -325 is the value play. Over 2.5 goals is the totals pick.